Titus, Smith Call For Improved Transportation

Saying her borough has historically been under-served by public authorities, State Senator Ada L. Smith recently introduced legislation, S.7985, calling for measures to promote safety and availability of public bus transportation in Queens.

"At this time of heightened public safety concerns, and with escalating gas prices, it's imperative that New Yorkers have access to safe, convenient and affordable public transportation," said Senator Smith. "It's clear the people of Queens must have bus routes available to get them to all the places they need or want to go."

Senator Smith said her bill, jointly introduced by Assemblywoman Michele Titus, would address the transportation problem in two ways. First, it would require any public authority providing bus transportation in Queens to conduct a security audit on all of its bus routes. The legislation also calls for the development and implementation of a plan to increase Queens bus routes and ridership by 10 percent in 2008, 20 percent in 2009 and 30 percent in 2010.

"There are few more pressing issues facing public transportation authorities today than the safety and security of their riders," Senator Smith said. "But there are other socially relevant issues here as well. Queens residents deserve to have a public transportation system that responds to their needs."

According to the Queens lawmaker, her bill also calls for increased accountability by authorities that operate the public transportation system.